Campus Days Gallery 2016
Empowering a Generation in Argentina
Early in the morning on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States. When it reached land, it was a Category 3 storm, bringing sustained winds of 100–140 miles per hour and spanning 400 miles across. The storm was catastrophic. Levee breaches led to massive flooding. Hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were displaced from their homes, and experts estimate that Katrina caused more than $100 billion in damage.
Journey Fellowship Church was among the properties completely destroyed in the hurricane.
Alumnus Luis Padilla, born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, moved to Marrero, La., and accepted a youth leader position at the Hispanic Southern Baptist Church around 2001. Luis later served as the outreach pastor at Journey Fellowship Church in Slidell, Louisiana, for 11 years.
Luis explains, "After Hurricane Katrina, there was a unique opportunity to unify with the community to bring healing to a damaged city, both physically and emotionally." He continued, "Everyone came together to rebuild their lives. During this time, our church grew as we discovered creative ways to have services. We met in more than 15 different locations in 6 months."
Luis confirms, "One of the main challenges is spiritual warfare. There is a large presence of idolatry, witchcraft, prostitution, alcoholism, domestic abuse and more."
While rebuilding Journey Fellowship Church in 2008, Padilla graduated from SAGU with a bachelor's degree in church planting and revitalization through SAGU's online program.
After graduation, Luis and his family moved to Argentina and planted two churches. Their goal is to expand into the Northwest regions of Jujuy, Salta, Tucuman, and Santiago del Estero. "We want to equip the next generation to take leadership positions in the churches of Argentina. We will continue our church planting efforts in Northwest Argentina and expand our reach to plant a church in every Latin American country in the coming years."
Argentina is Latin America’s second largest country and has a population over 40 million people. Christianity is the leading faith in the region at 89 percent, mostly Catholic. Evangelicalism is below 10%. But, beneath the surface is an intense spiritual struggle for souls. Operation World says that, "the low-key but widespread influence of the occult (Western and Latin expressions), one of the world’s highest Mormon populations and the growing Muslim population all vie for souls with postmodern agnosticism, hedonistic lifestyles and Christianity. Spiritism’s hidden currents strongly influence far more people than will openly identify with such groups."
Luis confirms, "One of the main challenges is spiritual warfare. There is a large presence of idolatry, witchcraft, prostitution, alcoholism, domestic abuse and more."
With such influences, Argentina is in dire need of leaders. Preparing those leaders is top-of-mind for Luis, who says, "Our goal is to raise healthy leaders that will plant healthy churches on a long-term basis in Argentina." He continued, "This requires a lot of leadership training and pouring into new believers, while equipping them to be church planters and evangelists themselves."
To learn more about the Padilla family's ministry, click here .
Q&A: Reaching Students Through Education
As a "knucklehead teenager" Fernando's grandmother called him on a Sunday evening and said, "God spoke to me and said you're going to be a teacher." He smiled in disbelief and said, "Okay. Thanks for telling me." He felt there was no way God was calling him to be a teacher. A month later God confirmed his calling in the simplest way. Fernando was driving one day and felt an overwhelming desire to impact kids lives through education. So he moved to Waxahachie, Texas, and graduated from SAGU with a bachelor's degree in Education in 2001.
For 14 years, Fernando has taught 4th grade science and social studies in schools such as Frank D. Moates Elementary in Desoto ISD, Life School Oak Cliff Elementary and currently at Russell P. Schupmann Elementary in Red Oak ISD.
He was honored as the Red Oak ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2014-2015.
Among his many achievements, Fernando was honored by the White House & US Department of Education in their initiative on educational excellence for Hispanics that highlights Latino teachers making a difference in education. He said, "It feels good to be recognized personally, but this honor is a reflection of the quality teachers, students and administration in our school and district."
Fernando was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and raised in Espanola, New Mexico. After meeting his wife at SAGU, they got married in 1997 and now have three children (6, 8, and 10).
We were able to sit down with Fernando and talk about his career in education:
Q1: What do you love about teaching?
"I teach to reach. I want to impact as many students as possible to help them develop a love for learning and show them they have a structure and a grownup they can count on when other positive structures and influences may not be present in their lives."
Q2: What inspires you day-in-day-out?
“I love the relationships I'm able to build with students and I love seeing their minds open when they trust you and your classroom environment. I have taught in three different places in my career and each place was demographically and culturally different. In my career I've learned that if students are given permission to try harder than they thought they ever could, they will develop a love for learning. All it takes is someone who is willing to show them the way."
Q3: What advice would you give to new and aspiring teachers?
"Act how you want to feel. If a teacher wants to capture a child's mind, they must first capture their heart. The education field might not be highest paying, but is the most rewarding. You're here to make an impact on kids, not just teach them content."
Q4: Was there a teacher who inspired you as a student?
"Absolutely! His name was Mr. Senteney. He was my sixth grade teacher. He showed me that school was fun and learning was exciting. He was very funny and likable and it made school a great place to be."
About the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics:
September 2015 marked the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Since 1990, the initiative has addressed educational disparities faced by the Hispanic community. The initiative aims to improve availability and access to high quality early learning programs for Hispanic children, dramatically increase the number of Hispanic high school graduates, and ensure more Hispanics students enroll and complete college.
From a Motel to the White House
Paola is overwhelmed with emotion as she sits in the presence of one of the most influential leaders in the world, President Barack Obama. She thinks back to the hard work that didn't seem hard in the moment, but got her here. She was simply doing what God called her to do.
As much of a blessing as it is to be invited to the White House, this isn't about her. She didn't do this to be recognized as a "Community Hero" by Univision TV , the largest Latino television network in the United States. She knows that she is only a vessel that God is using to make an impact on the lives of others.
It was a journey that began when Paola was 17 years old. Paola stepped off her youth groups bus after participating in National Fine Arts in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and suddenly realized that God was calling her to that city. She knew that New Mexico was a prime target for international sex traffickers and that there was a need for a safe house.
She didn't know anyone in New Mexico or where she was going to stay; but after God confirmed it was time to leave through a dream, she sold all of her belongings and moved to a motel near the main highway in Albuquerque. Similar to how God called Abraham out from his home in Haran, Paola left without knowing the direction God was taking her or how He would provide.
After the long trip from Dallas, Texas, Paola threw her bags on her motel room floor and walked to the window. She noticed a young girl standing on the sidewalk and felt compelled to speak to her. Her name is Ashley (name changed due to sensitivity).
Paola walked up to Ashley and asked, "Hey! This is a weird question, but would you like some food? You look hungry." Ashley beamed and said, "That would be wonderful!"
As Ashley ate a sandwich and chips in Paola's motel room, Ashley was able to talk with her and learn that the 24-year-old was homeless, had been abused and battled depression. Ashley was a victim of sex trafficking and had no friends or family anywhere near her. She ran away from where she was staying and was afraid that her 'boyfriend' would find her.
Paola asked, "Would you like to sleep here?"
Ashley replied, "That would really be wonderful! Can I ask you a question, though?"
"Sure," replied Paola.
"Are you a Christian? Because I hate God and am leaving right now if this is why you are being so kind to me."
"Are you a Christian? Because I hate God and am leaving right now if this is why you are being so kind to me."
"Yes. I am a Christian."
Ashley interrupted, "Well, you better not say anything about it to me and try to 'save me' or I'll leave."
Paola agreed that she wouldn't talk about her faith. But, she determined to let her life be her testimony of God's love.
Paola agreed that she wouldn't talk about her faith. But, she determined to let her life be her testimony of God's love.
Cuellar explained, "My passion was to help her grow, and I did everything I could to help her. She wanted nothing to do with God, but as she saw the love of Christ, she began to ask questions and accepted Christ 3 months later."
With prostitution being all that Ashley knew, Paola began teaching Ashley how to work in a corporate environment. She was also able to help her find a job in Dallas, Texas.
Paola knew this was the ministry God called her to. She founded a nonprofit organization called Esperanza (Hope) USA Inc., a safe house for victims of sex trafficking; the only safe house in New Mexico.
Because of the impact she was making, Paola began receiving calls from the Mayor of Albuquerque and the FBI asking her to work together. With their help, she started the Human Trafficking Task Force Committee of Albuquerque. Through a nomination from the City of Albuquerque, she was able to attend a luncheon at The White House for the End Human Trafficking initiative.
As the only safe house in New Mexico, Esperanza's goal is to provide residential care to victims of sex trafficking. Esperanza aims for physical restoration, emotional and mental rehabilitation, social respect and spiritual regeneration and provides counseling, medical assistance, emotional and mental help, social activities, food, clothing, housing, employment, and legal help for victims all over the country.
The United states is one of the largest destination for human traffickers. It is estimated that "14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually."
Fighting human trafficking is not an easy task. The organization and its' members are continually fighting for the innocent lives at risk and ask for your prayers as they do so.
Darrel Teeter, Teeter Hall Namesake, Passes at 84
SAGU board member and friend, Darrel Teeter, passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on January 29, 2016.
Teeter served on SAGU's Board of Regents for 11 years, retiring in 2014. His generous pledges during this time helped bridge the financial gaps to build Teeter Hall, a student dormitory named in honor of Darrel and his wife Huberta.
President Kermit Bridges said, "Darrel Teeter was a dear friend to SAGU through his service on our Board of Regents and through his influence and leadership as a donor. He had a heart for helping young people fulfill the call of God on their lives."
The following interview was conducted with Rev. Teeter during the construction of Teeter Hall in 2006.
SAGU Director of Marketing Ryan McElhany said of Teeter, "Mr. Teeter was one of those gentle souls who you sit with for five minutes and feel like you've known him your whole life. As we talked, it was clear how deeply he cherished his wife and how passionate he was about giving to those in need."
Teeter became an Assemblies of God ordained minister in 1954. He graduated from South Central Bible College in Hot Springs, AR (now merged with Evangel University). After graduation, he moved to Murfreesboro, AR, where he pastored a church for more than five years. In 1959, he began selling cars to subsidize his income to increase his support for missions. He later founded the renowned car dealership Teeter Motors.
Teeter sponsored more than 35 religious organizations including missionaries and benevolent charities; missions to Iraq; Teen Challenge , of which he was a Charter Board Member; Hillcrest Children’s Home; Global University and Russian Radio.
He donated to provide hot meals for more than 20,000 children in India since 1996; supported children in a Calcutta orphanages monthly; supported Fellowship of Christians and Jews; and gifted vans, buses, and other vehicles to churches, missionaries and ministers.
Teeter was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Teeter; and Sister, Arletta Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Huberta Jones Teeter; sons, Darry (Molly); Denny (fiancé Andrea); sister, Bobbie McCoy; five grandchildren, Courtney, Halle, Zach, Everett and Will; seven great grandchildren, and a host of friends.
Join us as we remember the legacy and ministry of Darrell Teeter. You can read his full obituary at Regency Funeral Home .